3-3.3* Floor- or Roof-Ceiling Assemblies Having a Fire Resistance Rating.
Where air ducts and openings for air ducts are used in a floor- or roof-ceiling assembly that is required to have a fire resistance rating, all the materials and the construction of the assembly, including the air duct materials and the size and protection of the openings, shall conform with the design of the fire-resistive assembly, as tested in accordance with NFPA 251, Standard Methods of Tests of Fire Endurance of Building Construction and Materials. (Where dampers are required, see 3-4.4.)
3-3.4 Shafts.
3-3.4.1
Air ducts that pass through the floors of buildings that require the protection of vertical openings shall be enclosed with partitions or walls constructed of materials as permitted by the building code of the authority having jurisdiction. The enclosure shall have a minimum fire resistance rating (based on possible fire exposure from either side of the partition or wall) of 1 hour where such air ducts are located in a building less than four stories in height and a minimum rating of 2 hours where such air ducts are located in a building four stories or more in height.
Exception: Where an air duct penetrates only one floor, or one floor and an air-handling equipment penthouse floor, and the air duct contains a fire damper located where the duct penetrates the floor, an air duct enclosure shall not be required.
3-3.4.2
A fire-resistive enclosure used as an air duct shall conform with 2-3.1 and 3-3.4.1. Gypsum board systems shall be constructed in accordance with the Gypsum Association Fire Resistance Design Manual.
3-3.4.3
Shafts that constitute air ducts or that enclose air ducts used for the movement of environmental air shall not enclose the following:
(1) Exhaust ducts used for the removal of smoke- and grease-laden vapors from cooking equipment
(2) Ducts used for the removal of flammable vapors
(3) Ducts used for moving, conveying, or transporting stock, vapor, or dust
(4) Ducts used for the removal of nonflammable corrosive fumes and vapors
(5) Refuse and linen chutes
(6) Piping
(7) Combustible storage
Exception: Noncombustible piping conveying water or other nonhazardous or nontoxic materials.